Seasonal variation of the vegetative and reproductive morphotypes of Gelidium canariense (Gelidiales, Rhodophyta)
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1
Universidad de La Laguna, Dpto. de Botánica, Ecología y Fisiología Vegetal, Spain
The species of the genus Gelidium have an isomorphic haplo-diploid life cycle so the different reproductive phases can only be distinguished during the fertile period. A detailed description of the vegetative and reproductive morphology of the endemic macroalgae from the Canary Islands Gelidium canariense is reported, as well as spatial and temporal shifts on the morphotype of the different life cycle phases. Sporophytes and male gametophytes show reproductive characteristics similar to that described for other species of the genus. The female gametophytes present cistocarps with a thick cellular fusion and carposporangia single or in small groups, according to the G. robustum and G. sesquipedale type. The total number of apices and the length of the greater secondary branch are the morphological variables that better explain the significant differences between non-fertile vs fertile (sporophyte and gametophyte) individuals and between individuals collected in July vs other months. Results also indicate that there is a 60% of dependence of the number of reproductive structures per individual and the total number of apices, with thalli showing a trend to form more branches before the formation of sporangia and gametangia.
Keywords:
Canary Islands,
Endemic,
Gelidiales,
Phenology,
life cycle
Conference:
XIX Iberian Symposium on Marine Biology Studies, Porto, Portugal, 5 Sep - 9 Sep, 2016.
Presentation Type:
Poster Presentation
Topic:
1. ECOLOGY, BIODIVERSITY AND VULNERABLE ECOSYSTEMS
Citation:
Alfonso
B,
Sangil
C and
Sansón
M
(2016). Seasonal variation of the vegetative and reproductive morphotypes of Gelidium canariense (Gelidiales, Rhodophyta).
Front. Mar. Sci.
Conference Abstract:
XIX Iberian Symposium on Marine Biology Studies.
doi: 10.3389/conf.FMARS.2016.05.00134
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Received:
15 May 2016;
Published Online:
03 Sep 2016.
*
Correspondence:
Ms. Beatriz Alfonso, Universidad de La Laguna, Dpto. de Botánica, Ecología y Fisiología Vegetal, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain, beatriz.alfonso.14@ull.edu.es